Center suppoet foe awnings



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

W. WETTEROTH. GENTER SUPPORT FOR AWNINGS.

No. 565,247. Patented Aug. 4, 1896.

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-2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

o. 565,247. Patented Aug. 4, I896.

aims Firms co. vacuum-Q0 msnm UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

W'ILLIAM IVETTEROTH, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CHARLES 7V. MARTIN, OF SAME PLACE.

CENTER SUPPORT FOR AWNINGS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 565,247, dated August 4, 1896.

Application filed February 20, 1896. Serial No. 580,082. (No model.)

T0 at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM WErTERorH, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Center Support for Awnings, of which the following is such a full, clear, and exact description as will enable any one skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, refer ence being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

Very long awning-poles have a tendency to sag at the central portion of their length, necessitating a support of some kind at this point. Supports containing rollers upon which the pole rests have been devised for this purpose. The objection to these supports is that the fiber of the canvas or other cloth of which the awning is made is out and broken by the rollers with which it comes in contact, while the awning is being rolled up or unrolled. This finally causes a rent in the canvas along the line of contact with the rollers.

The object of my invention is the construction of an awning-pole support which will not injure the canvas of the awning.

My invention consists in providing a suitably-supported traveling belt of canvas or other flexible material, upon which the pole rests.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one form of a support made in accordance with my invention, Figure 1 is an isometric projection of the main or lower part with the traveling belt removed. Fig. 2 is an isometric projection of the upper part or guard. Fig. 3 is a vertical section showing the pole in position, and Fig. 4 is an isometric projection of part of an awning and pole with my support applied thereto.

Like marks of reference refer to similar parts in the different views of the drawings.

5 is a plate from which projects two curved arms 6, which may either be formed integral with the said plate 5 or secured to it in any suitable manner. In the arms 6 are journaled three pulleys or spools 7, S, and 9. The pulleys 7 and 8 are on the same or about the same level, and the pulley 9 is situated below and between them. Around the pulleys 7, 8,

and 9 passes an endless belt 10 of canvas or other suitable flexible material. On this belt 10 rests the awning-pole 11, to which is attached the canvas 12 of the awning.

13 is the top or guard plate of the support. Attached to the guard 13 or formed integral with it is a plate 14:, by means of which it is secured in position.

In applying my support, the lower or main portion is first secured in position below the pole 11 of the awning, so that the said pole rests on the flexible belt 10. The guard-plate 13 is then secured in position over the main part of the support. The canvas 12 of the awning passes over the top of the pole 11, and out between the pulley 8 and the guardplate 13. Thus the canvas 12 comes in contact only with the flexible belt 10, which belt is carried around the rollers 7, 8, and 9, by frictional contact with the awning, in one direction or the other, according as the said awning is rolled up or unrolled, and so the canvas of the awning is not injured in any way. The guard-plate 13 prevents dirt, dust, &c. from getting between the pole 11 and the belt 10,- and also prevents the displacement of the said pole and protects the working parts of the support from the weather.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In a center support for awning-poles, a suitable frame, pulleys journaled in said frame, and a traveling belt of flexible material passing over said pulleys and upon which the pole upon which the awning is carried rests.

2. In a center support for awning-poles and the like, a main frame, pulleys journaled in said main frame, an endless belt of flexible material traveling over said pulleys and upon which the pole rests, and a guard-plate situated over said main frame.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal in the presence of the two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM WETTEROTH. [L. s]

Witnesses:

CHARLES W. MARTIN, A. O. FOWLER. 

